A Sunny Afternoon in Zurich, a Perfect Opportunity to Enjoy a Coffee by the Limmat Quay. One Orders an Espresso and, like many are accustomed, a glass of tap water. After all, water is a basic necessity and in most parts of the world, it is freely served in restaurants.
However, not in Zurich. A glance at the bill reveals that tap water is charged at a staggering four francs, equivalent to approximately 4.20 euros – for something that comes straight from the faucet!
Zurich is well-known for its absurd prices. According to a recent study by The Economist, the city shares the title of the most expensive city in the world with Singapore. Whether it’s rent, food, or gastronomy – nowhere in Europe do you need to dig deeper into your pocket as much as in Zurich. And now, it seems, even tap water has been elevated to a luxury item. What is freely available in London or Paris is here served with a brazen surcharge.
The justification from the restaurateurs for this practice? Service charges. But how can it be that the service of a glass of tap water incurs higher costs than in other metropolises? The reality is that they simply exploit the purchasing power of Zurich residents and tourists to reap maximum profit with minimal effort.
And if it’s not even of high quality? Recent reports suggest that the city’s tap water quality is not as guaranteed as one might think. While Zurich’s drinking water is officially deemed safe, there are still ongoing discussions about residues and the long-term quality of the water. Should one really pay four francs for a glass of “faucet water” when one can’t even be certain it’s better than elsewhere?
It’s only a matter of time before Zurich restaurants start charging for a table on the patio or a reserved seat. The absurdity has already become a norm. While restaurateurs complain about declining customer numbers, it’s exactly such practices that alienate locals and tourists alike.
Zurich, the City of the Exploiters
One could overlook high prices in Zurich if they were justified in some way. But four francs for faucet water is an audacity, a paradigm of the ruthless profiteering that is slowly driving this city to madness.